Vibratory massaging device

ABSTRACT

Massaging apparatus of compact character which is capable of imparting distributed vibratory motion to a subject or specimen, the apparatus consisting of a main frame which is resiliently affixed to a vibratory element, there being resilient suspension relative to the main frame in all dimensions without secure affixure, and the massaging apparatus including a resilient padding overlaying the main frame structure for purposes of providing a decorative outer cover which is soothing to the touch and comforting in support of a subject or specimen.

United States Patent [191 Dill Apr. 17, 1973 VIBRATORY MASSAGING DEVI CE[76] Inventor: Onnie R. Dill, P.O. Box 14218,

Oklahoma City, Okla. 741 19 22 Filed: July 1, 1971 211 Appl.No.: 158,936

[52] US. Cl..... ..128/33 [51] Int. Cl... i

[58] Field of Search I28/33-36, 41

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1969 Carpenter .f...l28/33 x Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp Attorney-Dunlap et a1.

ABSTRACT Massaging apparatus of compact character which is capable ofimparting distributed vibratory motion to a subject or specimen, theapparatus consisting of a main frame which is resiliently afiixed to avibratory element, there being resilient suspension relative to the mainframe in all dimensions without secure affixure, and the massagingapparatus including a resilient padding overlaying the main framestructure for purposes of providing a decorative outer cover which issoothing to the touch and comforting in support of a subject orspecimen.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures VIBRATORY MASSAGING DEVICE CROSS REFERENCETO RELATED APPLICATION The present invention is related to the teachingsof US. Pat. No. 3,580,245 as issued on May 25, 1971 in the name of OnnieR. Dill and entitled Vibratory Massaging Device. I

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The inventionrelates generally to therapeutic massaging devices and, moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, it relates to an improvedvibratory apparatus which is constructed with the vibratile element supported in resilient manner relative to the main frame.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art includes various types ofvibratory apparatus which may be utilized for generating and applyavibratory motion to various subject or specimens. The prior art unitsmay be classified as ranging from small vibratory motors adaptable tothe back of the hand, up to larger devices which are intended forvibratingthe entire subject body or some major portion or limb thereof.It has been common among prior teachings, to disregard the type ofvibratory action being generated, i.e. frictional rubbing motion,up-anddown thumping motion etc., and it is only lately that realizationhas come that smooth oscillatory motion, combining up-anddown andlateral motions, can pro vide a vastly more beneficial therepeuticeffect. It has also been elusivef as to .the construction of a goodmassage motion over a desirable expanse. Most vibratory sources behaveas point sources ineffect and it has i been difficult to achieveefficient distribution of vibratory power outward from positions ofaffixure of the vibratory source-to the body "or rigid frame of thedevice. v

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a vibratorymassagedevice wherein energy from a vibratory source is effectivelytransmitted throughout the, breadth of a cushioned frame thereby toenable vibration output over the whole of the cushionln a more limitedaspect, the invention consists of. a main frame and resilient. retainingmembers which retain a vibratory source at a generally central positionwithin the plane of the main frame such that good vibratory motiontransmission is accomplished in all directions of the main frame. The

main frameand resiliently supported vibratile element arethen covered insuitable padding material and decorative'covering to provide acushion-type outer surface capable of imparting the vibrations generallyequally in all directions. j

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a massagedevice which enables generation'and output of a'massage motion over theentire expanse of the device. f I

It is alsoan object of the invention to provide apparatus which'iscapable of in-phase oscillatory output 3 over a relatively wide areawith varying frequencies of oscillation.

It is yet another object of the presentinvention to provide a vibratoryunit which is capable of distributing massage motion relatively evenlyover its entire surface.

FIG. 2 is an elevation withparts shown in BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THEDRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a massage device as constructedin accordance with the present invention;

cutaway of the massage device in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a vertical section through the long dimension of the massagedevice of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, a massagingdevice 10 may be formed as a symmetrical cushion-type configurationhaving upper portion 12 and a lower portion 14 of generally equalvolumetric dimension. An edge trim strip 16 is then suitably fastenedaround the perimeter of the massaging device 10 as affixed to the mainframe, to be further described below; and an electric power cord 18,including manualoff-on" switch 20 and plug 22, all lead outwardtherefrom. Each of upper portion 12 and lowerportion 14 are covered by asuitable covering material '24 which may be selected from the more toughand decourous materials such as leather, Naugahyde, vinyl compositions,etc.

Referring now to FIG. 2 and 3, the massaging device A 10 consists of amain frame 26 which may be constructedjfrom heavy, rigid material suchas plywood,

fiberboard, and the like. The mainframes 26 of prototypemodels have beenformed from high'compression fiber board of one-half inch thickness,-and such main frames 26 provide good support while stillretaining thecapability of receiving all types of fasteners.

The main frame 26 is formed with a centrally located rectangular hole28, which is of slightly larger dimension than a vibrator motor30ldisposed therein, and a plurality of holes 32 are disposed insymmetrical arrayj around the outer edge of main frame 26. Stillanotherbore 34 is formed through one side of the frame 26 and i in the planethereof for communication with a vertically bored hole 36, and the.electrical wiring from elec-- trical lead 18 canbe led through bores 34and 36 to the interior of massaging device 10, as will be furtherdescribed below. I

A plurality of steel straps aredisposed in symmetrical manner, eachstrap being 3 led through oppositely disposed holes 32 and then tightlyclamped as'a loop to maintain vibrator motor 30 in secure positionwithin the hole 28 of main frame 26. Thus, a steel strap loop 38 isaligned with the length of the elliptical shape of main frame 26 andopposite ends of strap 38 are secured as by well-known clamping bracket(not shown) in'taut relationship. A pair .of intermediate length steelstraps 40 and 42 are then looped through oppositely disposed holes 32 insymmetrical relationship on either side of the lengthwise loop strap 38,and still another pair of shorter and generally transversely disposedloop straps 44 and 46 are disposed tightly and symmetrical and generallytransverse position about the vibrator motor 30. Each of straps 38through 46 may be formed from conventional binder steel straps, e.g.S-gauge by 2-inch steel straps, and the straps may be secured byconventional strap clamping fixtures or clamps 48.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the straps 38.through 46 cross at thevertical central axis 50 such that they stack in aligned manner on eachside of vibrator motor 30 to maintain the rectangular opening 28 of mainframe 26. The vibrator motor 30 may be any of various commerciallyavailable vibrator motors but preferably it is aload-controlledeccentric motor of the type whichis capable of harmonicrelation to the suspending fixtures. Thus, lower frequency oscillationson the order of twenty cycles per second will be set up at the extremeends of massaging device 10, i.e. at the ends of lengthwise loop strap38, while higher frequencies approaching ninety oscillations per secondare apparent along the central region of massaging device 10.

One form of vibrator motor which may be utilized is the Model 3M244oscillation motor which is commercially available from McMillanManufacturing Company of St. Paul, Minnesota. AC electrical power isapplied to motor 30 by means of AC leads 52 and 54 fromelectrical'supply cord 18, and safety protection is provided by aseries-connected switch 56 connected in one side of the AC supply line.The switch 55 is a normally closed switch which opens upon sensing apredetermined heat level, and such switch may be obtained from theKlixon Company of New York, New York. The switch 55 senses heatgenerated by vibrator motor 30 and provides a disabling function onlyafter prolonged energization of vibrator motor 30, such as when thesubject user might fall asleep with the unit energized.

The entire outer portion of massaging device is covered with foampadding as provided by an upper foam portion 56 and a lower foam portion58 formed generally to the size of main frame 26. Foam portions 56 and58 are then maintained in place over top of asbestos insulating material60 and 62, upper and lower respectively, as held in place by outercovering 24 secured by peripheral trim strip 16. As mentioned above,outer covering 24 is made from selected materials for application asupper and lower covering numbers which are secured beneath peripheraltrim strip 16.

In operation, the massaging device 10 need only be plugged in at AC plug22 for energization through manual switch to energize motor 30 therebyto begin oscillation as transmitted along each of strap loops 38 through46 through various extremities of main frame 26. Varying frequencies ofoscillation will be apparent due to the harmonic interaction of thevarying length loop straps 38 through 46 resiliently supporting thevibrator motor 30 relative to main frame 26, and as affected by stillfurther harmonic interaction due to the natural resilience of thepolyfoam cushion material, i.e. upper and lower portions 56 and 58.

Vibration oscillation will be present over all surfaces of massagingdevice 10 and the user subject need only position the subject limb orbody portion at a selected point on massaging device 10 to derive adesired frequency of oscillation and, therefore, the most soothingtherapeutic effect.

Thus, depending upon how the massaging device 10 is positioned relativeto the body portion, rhythmic massaging motions varying from about 20cycles per second up to as high as cycles per second can be obtained.The frequency of massage motion will be related to the position aboutthe massaging device 10 as the vibratory motor 30 interacts withshorter, intermediate or longer ones of the straps which may bepositioned therebetween, and the very tight straps 38 through 46 serveto derive a harmonically related interactive vibration from vibratorymotor 30 for effective distribution along the respective axes of theircontact with main frame 26.

The foregoing describes a novel massaging device wherein effectivelyvaried massage frequencies are made available in a single unit, suchvibrations being essentially evenly distributed across certain majoraxes of the massaging device. The device constructed in accordance withthe invention enables utilization in any of various positions or incontact with any particular body or limb positions which requiretherapeutic relief. The massaging device is capable of producingdistributed vibratory or massaging motions of differing frequency suchthat vibratile amplitude is evenly distributed and does not subject thesubject limb or body portion to excessive thumping, jarring or bruisingcontact which may be liable to cause aggravation of inherent orcurrently aggravated conditions of the musculature.

It is also contemplated that the present invention be utilized incombination with certain other therapeutic devices of similar nature.Thus, it is foreseen that many requirements will dictate that thetherapeutic massaging device be utilized in conjunction with a heatapplication device, as this will often be a most effective method oftreatment for certain conditions. The massaging device is also utilizedwith a pedestal for positioning the device for use with certain limb orbody portions such as, e.g. a supporting pedestal for enabling footmassage. Still other forms of clamp or supporting pillow may be utilizedto retain the massaging device in a desired position, this dependingupon exigencies of the application.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of elements asheretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawing; itbeing understood that changes may be made in the embodiments disclosedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedin the following claims.

lclaim:

l. A vibratory massage device, comprising:

main frame means of generally planar form having'an aperture formedtransversely and generally centrally therethrough;

vibration source means disposed within said main frame means aperture innon-interfering disposition for generating small amplitude oscillatorymotion;

a plurality of metal strap means each being tightly secured aboutopposite peripheral points of said main frame means and oppositeportions of said vibrator source means, said plurality of strap meansbeing arrayed in generally equally-spaced relationship about said mainframe means and each being affixed in rigid relationship to therespective opposite peripheral points of the main frame means and theopposite parts of said vibrator source means; and

outer covering means of resilient character which includes upper andlower polyfoam portions covering said suspended vibratory source means,said strap means and said main frame peripheral portions.

2. A vibratory massage device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mainframe means comprises:

an elliptical shaped planar frame formed from rigid material, and havinga rectangular aperture formed centrally thereof.

3 A vibratory massage device as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidplurality of metal strap means each comprise:

steel strap means formed as a loop and rigidly clamped such that theloop bears tightly against opposite sides of the main frame means andopposite sides of said vibration source means to provide efficienttransmission of vibration between the vibration source means and mainframe means.

4. A vibratory massage device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said mainframe means comprises:

an elliptical shaped planar frame formed from rigid material, and havinga rectangular aperture formed centrally thereof. 7 5. A vibratorymassage device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said vibration sourcemeans comprises:

motor means electrically energized to provide small amplitudevibrational output from the motor means. 6. A vibratory massage deviceas set for in claim 5 which is further characterized to include:

electrical input means for energization of said motor means whichincludes a series-connected, normally-closed switch which is adjacentsaid motor means on said main frame means and which will open uponsensing a pre-determined elevated temperature.

1. A vibratory massage device, comprising: main frame means of generallyplanar form having an aperture formed transversely and generallycentrally therethrough; vibration source means disposed within said mainframe means aperture in non-interfering disposition for generating smallamplitude oscillatory motion; a plurality of metal strap means eachbeing tightly secured about opposite peripheral points of said mainframe means and opposite portions of said vibrator source means, saidplurality of strap means being arrayed in generally equally-spacedrelationship about said main frame means and each being affixed in rigidrelationship to the respective opposite peripheral points of the mainframe means and the opposite parts of said vibrator source means; andouter covering means of resilient character which includes upper andlower polyfoam portions covering said suspended vibratory source means,said strap means and said main frame peripheral portions.
 2. A vibratorymassage device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said main frame meanscomprises: an elliptical shaped planar frame formed from rigid material,and having a rectangular aperture formed centrally thereof.
 3. Avibratory massage device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pluralityof metal strap means each comprise: steel strap means formed as a loopand rigidly clamped such that the loop bears tightly against oppositesides of the main frame means and opposite sides of said vibrationsource means to provide efficient transmission of vibration between thevibration source means and main frame means.
 4. A vibratory massagedevice as set forth in claim 3 wherein said main frame means comprises:an elliptical shaped planar frame formed from rigid material, and havinga rectangular aperture formed centrally thereof.
 5. A vibratory massagedevice as set forth in claim 4 wherein said vibration source meanscomprises: motor means electrically energized to provide small amplitudevibrational output from the motor means.
 6. A vibratory massage deviceas set forth in claim 5 which is further characterized to include:electrical input means for energization of said motor means whichincludes a series-connected, normally-closed switch which is adjacentsaid motor means on said main frame means and which will open uponsensing a pre-determined elevated temperature.